Introduction

In a landscape dominated by shortcuts and flashy promotions, Unfiltered isn't just a brand—it's my manifesto. It stands for authenticity and meritocracy, values that extend beyond any balance sheet. My experiences in baseball taught me that living true to myself—and inspiring others to do the same—is the only way to achieve lasting fulfillment.

These lessons saved me from a lifetime of regret—of pretending to be someone else or chasing empty validation. Authenticity isn't just important; it's essential.

The Data on Happiness and Core Values

Research by Kahneman and Deaton (2010) found that happiness plateaus at around $75K in 2010 dollars (now approximately $100K). Extra money alone doesn’t guarantee happiness—true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with our core values. As Morgan Housel highlights, wealth’s real power is enabling authenticity.

Sidebar: CPI measures changes in living costs. Knowing this helps make informed, values-driven choices, highlighting that accumulating beyond a certain point yields diminishing happiness returns.

Authenticity & Meritocracy: The Heart of Unfiltered

Authenticity: Authenticity means staying true to your principles, even on the less-traveled path. It’s rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions and instead making choices that reflect your genuine self.

Meritocracy: Decisions—in baseball and life—should rely on objective data and real performance. At Driveline Baseball, measurable outcomes consistently revealed hidden talent and sparked real innovation.

Personal Reflection: I've chased validation and titles before. Each time, the accomplishment felt hollow—like holding a trophy I hadn't fully earned. True satisfaction came when I stopped seeking praise and started fighting for truth and fairness.

Formative Stories: Lessons in Fairness and Autonomy

Early Lessons in Autonomy: Growing up, one influential mentor gave me autonomy to discover my own path, emphasizing fairness adapted to context rather than rigid rules. This shaped my lifelong commitment to objective and fair decision-making.

A Pivotal Intervention: During a collegiate setback, I proposed giving players better resource access. A trusted mentor publicly supported me, safeguarding my scholarship. This experience underscored the power of transparency and speaking out against unfairness.

Embracing a Humbling Journey: Coaching in a neighboring town brought logistical challenges but invaluable lessons in resilience. Investing my resources to build a fair, authentic environment reinforced the value of staying true to my calling.

A Challenging, Enlightening Start: My first post-college coaching job tested my creativity and perseverance. Limited resources demanded unconventional strategies, reinforcing my belief that resilience and fairness are crucial to sustainable success.

The GM Dream: Navigating a Paradox

My ambition to become a GM poses a daily test: take enticing shortcuts promising quicker success, or choose the uncertain yet integrity-driven path? It's tempting—but every day, I reaffirm my commitment to integrity over speed.

Fostering Growth: A Two-Way Street

My authenticity and fairness extend to every relationship. I strive for mutual benefit and transparency, openly communicating that if someone isn't growing equally, they shouldn't feel obligated to stay. Genuine growth is always mutual.

Why Authenticity and Meritocracy Always Win

Staying true to authenticity and meritocracy isn’t just morally right—it’s practically essential. Every successful decision I've made has stemmed from these values, fueling breakthroughs and sustainable growth. Beyond coaching, it’s about fostering an environment where everyone can authentically learn, grow, and thrive.

Conclusion

Economic Insight: After about $100K today, extra income adds little to happiness.

Core Values: Authenticity and meritocracy underpin lasting success.

Formative Experiences: Early autonomy lessons, pivotal collegiate interventions, and challenging coaching experiences reinforced fairness and resilience.

The GM Conundrum: Rapid success might seem appealing, but true leadership demands integrity.